Colossians and Philemon

The apostle Paul may have never visited the small town of Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey, but he was linked to the congregation through a coworker named Epaphras. This man came to visit Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome to deliver troubling news about destructive teachings that had taken root in the Colossian fellowship. Paul penned a letter in response, urging the believers to experience the freedom they had found in Christ, recognize their salvation came through the Lordship of Jesus alone, and reflect the light of Christ in their lives. Paul also penned a short personal letter to a Colossian believer named Philemon, urging him to forgive a slave who had departed from him and receive him back as a fellow brother. Paul's words in these letters compel us to remember everything that Jesus has done for us and treat others, as we want to be treated.